Rear Tire Carrier - Any Regrets in Daily Life?

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Land Rover Joe

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So we are done with the refurbishment for the rear bumper and assembly, rear tire carrier, and re-installation of the rear tire carrier.

Photos of that work attached.

The point of this post is noting that more steel...means more rust. More rust...means more rust treatment. This is the biggest issue with the tire carrier (or any steel accessories for that matter) over the long run and go to the generally good design of the OEM plastic bumpers. Furthermore, my steel bumper does not do quite a good job protecting all the wiring inside the bumper assembly from the elements (i.e. water, road grime/sand, and salt). The OEM bumper is pretty good at keeping all that stuff tucked away and protected from the elements. Just another small consideration (I am adding additional, heavy-duty, electrical tape and looms to assist).

That said, the steel bumper itself, especially the oval access area where the forged tow ring is located, was really corroded and needed a lot of cleaning. I had taken off the plastic cover many years ago but the cost of that (and then the steel bumper added on) was to expose that area to a lot of elements which did a lot of corrosion damage.
 

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  • Rear Bumper Refurb.jpg
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  • Rear Tire Carrier Refurb.jpg
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  • Rear Tire Carrier Refurb Reinstall.jpg
    Rear Tire Carrier Refurb Reinstall.jpg
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Northern

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I thought about one, but I haven't pulled the trigger and likely won't due to the same concerns as everyone else.
Love the look, but the functionality is a bit of a tradeoff.

The spare on mine is long gone, along with the tire heat shield, most of the mounting provisions, and the hoist mechanism I'm sure is seized solid. I have a set of 5 new defender steelies that I'm looking to throw 275/70R18s as well...

I'm thinking about one of the swing out rear carriers that is hitch mounted. Basically steal the Temu/aliexpress special:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007137765819.html
But eliminate some sketchiness and ensure it fits the LR4 properly and something like the Hippo Hitch.

The main two advantages being that it's completely reversible, and removable. Throw it on when I'm heading to the woods, and leave it in or beside the garage when I'm done.
 

mm3846

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You need to watch out with the current tariffs with anything steel. I contacted two manufacturers (Poland and China) about shipping and the import duties are insane. Wish I pulled the trigger on the TF carrier years ago when it was $900 but looks like it’s the best option still.

Anyone have one they want to sell? lol…
 

m_lars

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You need to watch out with the current tariffs with anything steel. I contacted two manufacturers (Poland and China) about shipping and the import duties are insane. Wish I pulled the trigger on the TF carrier years ago when it was $900 but looks like it’s the best option still.

Anyone have one they want to sell? lol…
I’d sell you one of these for $600 plus shipping. It’d probably take a week or two to get one ready.

 

mm3846

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Ap
I’d sell you one of these for $600 plus shipping. It’d probably take a week or two to get one ready.


Appreciate the offer, but if have a couple different tire carriers on Jeeps and I know if I don’t have a good slam latch on this one I’m going to scream.
 

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